Senior Automotive Body Structures Engineer

Placements24; Durban; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits

Retirement annuity contributions

Professional growth and skill dev.

Exposure to cutting-edge automotive技

Work-life balance initiatives

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Automotive Body Structures Engineer to join our client in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. You will lead structural analysis and design activities for vehicle body structures, emphasizing lightweighting, safety, and performance.

You will perform FEA, select materials, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet regulatory and internal targets, while mentoring junior engineers and coordinating with suppliers on structural matters.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering or related discipline.
• 7+ years of professional experience in automotive body structures or structural analysis.
• Expertise in using FEA software such as Abaqus, Nastran, ANSYS or equivalent.
• Strong knowledge of automotive safety standards and crash simulation methodologies.
• Experience with material selection for automotive applications, particularly lightweight materials.

Responsibilities

• Perform advanced Finite Element Analysis (FEA) on vehicle body structures for crashworthiness, stiffness, and durability.
• Develop and optimize body structure designs using lightweight materials (e.g., advanced high-strength steel, aluminum, composites).
• Collaborate with design, styling, and manufacturing teams to ensure structural requirements are met.
• Define and validate structural performance targets based on regulatory requirements and internal goals.
• Support physical testing and validation of structural components and assemblies.
• Analyze test data and iterate designs to improve structural performance and reduce weight.
• Stay current with emerging trends and technologies in automotive structural engineering and materials science.
• Prepare technical documentation, reports, and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.
• Mentor and guide junior engineers in structural analysis techniques and best practices.
• Ensure effective communication and coordination with suppliers and external partners on structural matters.

Skills

Analytical mindset

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical/Civil Engineering

Tools

Abaqus

Nastran

ANSYS

CATIA

SolidWorks

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a globally recognized automotive manufacturer, is seeking a talented Senior Automotive Body Structures Engineer to join their innovative team in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. This role is central to the design and development of vehicle body structures, focusing on lightweighting, safety, and performance. You will be responsible for structural analysis, material selection, and ensuring the integrity of body-in-white components under various load conditions. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in CAE (Computer-Aided Engineering) for structural analysis, a deep understanding of automotive safety regulations, and a passion for vehicle design. This is an exceptional opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking vehicle projects and influence the structural integrity of future automotive models. The Durban location offers a unique blend of industrial significance and coastal living, providing a stimulating environment for engineering professionals. We aim to attract engineers who are eager to innovate and lead in the field of automotive structural design.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform advanced Finite Element Analysis (FEA) on vehicle body structures for crashworthiness, stiffness, and durability.
• Develop and optimize body structure designs using lightweight materials (e.g., advanced high-strength steel, aluminum, composites).
• Collaborate with design, styling, and manufacturing teams to ensure structural requirements are met.
• Define and validate structural performance targets based on regulatory requirements and internal goals.
• Support physical testing and validation of structural components and assemblies.
• Analyze test data and iterate designs to improve structural performance and reduce weight.
• Stay current with emerging trends and technologies in automotive structural engineering and materials science.
• Prepare technical documentation, reports, and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.
• Mentor and guide junior engineers in structural analysis techniques and best practices.
• Ensure effective communication and coordination with suppliers and external partners on structural matters.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in automotive body structures or structural analysis.
• Expertise in using FEA software such as Abaqus, Nastran, ANSYS, or equivalent.
• Strong knowledge of automotive safety standards and crash simulation methodologies.
• Experience with material selection for automotive applications, particularly lightweight materials.
• Proficiency in CAD software (e.g., CATIA, SolidWorks) for design review and basic modeling.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team.
• A keen interest in automotive design and manufacturing processes in Durban.
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes for body structures (stamping, joining technologies).

Benefits

• Attractive salary package aligned with industry standards.
• Comprehensive healthcare benefits, including medical and dental coverage.
• Retirement annuity contributions.
• Significant opportunities for professional growth and skill development.
• Exposure to cutting-edge automotive technologies and projects.
• Generous paid vacation and public holidays.
• Employee discounts on vehicles and related services.
• A stimulating and collaborative work environment in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.
• Work-life balance initiatives.